An Oath Taken by Diana Cosby

water streamed down her tunic as his naked body pressed against hers.
    â€œSir Nicholas, I—”
    â€œNo more rambling lad. To bed!”
    The bed. She would nae think of that! Too aware of him, she tried to focus on her task and ignore the intimate press of his muscled body against hers. Well into his cups as he was, she doubted the castellan could even see the bed much less distinguish that she was nae a he.
    A mixture of pleas and tugs brought him to the edge of his bed. Relieved to be able to escape his nearness, she released him and made to move away; but he swayed then floundered.
    Flailing, he reached out and caught her shoulders.
    â€œNicholas—” Elizabet lost her balance and tumbled onto the mattress.
    With a grunt, he landed on top.
    Her breath left her in a rush. ’Twas a blasted plot! “Get off of me, you oaf.” She shoved against his massive chest thick with water-slicked hair, trying to ignore how his body fit perfectly against hers and how his lips hovered but a breath away. “Nicholas!”
    He didna budge.
    Elizabet closed her eyes as his honed curves pressed against her with sensual heat. A fine mess! She tried to pry him off.
    At her shove, Nicholas’s eyes opened. Confusion filled his gaze as he stared at her. Then, passion darkened his eyes to a deep smoky gray and he grew hard.
    Panic assaulted her as her body answered with a burst of need.
    His gaze shifted to her lips.
    Her body burned. How she wanted to kiss him. Mary, Mother of God, what was she thinking! “Nicholas!” Her words came out in a panicked rush as her body pulsed with desire.
    A low, sultry laugh filled with intimate promise seduced her further. “Do not be afraid.” He lowered his head. “’Twill be good, I promise.”
    And that was what she was afraid of. “Nich—”
    His mouth muffled her plea as he captured her lips, silencing any further protest. She tried to resist, but his taste, the softness of his assault, and her own undeniable hunger stripped away further protest. And why nae enjoy this moment? He would be none the wiser, and this would be her only chance to ever get close to him as a woman.
    With her conscience appeased, Elizabet fell into his kiss. Like a hot summer day he warmed her, teasing her with the beauty of it all. He nibbled her lower lip. On a moan he slid his tongue into her mouth.
    As if the most natural response, she answered, tasting, teasing, giving back and demanding more. A low groan swirled deep in his throat as her body spun out of control.
    His hands captured her face with infinite tenderness as he deepened the kiss.
    â€œNicholas,” she murmured, lost to sensations.
    He pressed kisses on her cheek, along the curve of her jaw, then worked at a slow, torturous pace down the column of her throat, halting every bit to glide his tongue across her sensitive flesh in a destroying assault. With a groan of appreciation, his hand cupped her breast, his finger stroking her nipple until it grew taut.
    Though she’d never lain with a man, any shame fled at the rightness of the moment. “Nicholas.”
    His mouth curved in a lopsided grin, and he continued his sweet torment until she could only feel, respond to the waves of pleasure coursing through her. That he shifted, and she nay longer lay pinned beneath him, mattered little. All she could do was experience, want, beg for more.
    â€œNicholas, please . . .”
    His hand slid down to her most private place and stroked her slick folds with mind-teasing expertise. “In time, Anicia.”
    She froze. Humiliation engulfed her and Elizabet rolled away and scrambled to her feet. What had she been thinking? Nay, she hadna a thought in her mind except being with him! Her body aching with need, she stared down at Nicholas.
    He reached out for her, and confusion slid into his gaze. Then his lids flickered twice before they finally closed. He sighed a quiet, lonely sound and